Premier League stars could face automatic salary cut if relegated

The Premier League is in talks with the PFA about amending the terms of the standard player's contract in a bid to limit the financial burden on relegated clubs

EXCLUSIVEBy Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent

New plans could force all Premier League players into an automatic salary cut if their teams are relegated, Goalunderstands.

The Premier League has held talks with the Professional Footballers’ Association to investigate amending the terms of the standard player’s contract, which is signed by every player registered to a top-tier club.

A proposal has been drawn up for a clause to be added to each individual agreement stipulating a mandatory pay cut on relegation. The aim is to limit the financial burden on clubs when they drop to the Championship.

Goal has learned that a meeting took place between the Premier League and players’ union the PFA regarding the issue earlier in the year and further negotiations are planned.

Research has also been carried out by the ruling body into the viability of introducing a rule that has faced opposition in the past from the narrow elite of Champions League calibre clubs.

The proposal would need the support of 14 of the 20 top-flight clubs in a Premier League ballot to be formally introduced.

Sources at the FA have told Goal that the subject of mandatory salary cuts has been on the table for a number of years but has failed to get off the ground due to opposition from the marquee clubs.

Their argument is that such a rule might hinder their ability to recruit the world’s leading players when they are in direct competition with European giants like Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

However, a number of other Premier League clubs, whose primary ambition at the start of the season is to avoid relegation, are believed to be more receptive to the possibility of a mandatory pay cut.

It is understood that some clubs, with West Brom said to be one, already operate relegation clauses in the contracts of their players.